Rooted in ancient wisdom, literature, and traditions like Bushido and Zen Buddhism, Japanese tattoo quotes often carry profound cultural and philosophical significance. These words embrace themes of Strength, Resilience, Beauty, and Introspection, making them a very suitable choice for a tattoo.
A Japanese quote tattoo is not just ink on skin but a timeless reflection of personal values and beliefs, connecting the past with the present in a visual and meaningful manner. Whether expressing sentiments of love, invoking nature’s beauty, or embodying philosophical ideals like impermanence and perseverance, a Japan word tattoo will always be revered for their elegance and profound meaning.
As you explore the categories below, you’ll find a rich variety of inspirational Japanese tattoo quotes. We hope these inspire and guide you to find the perfect words for your tattoo.
Note: If you want to obtain an image for the characters, you can find how to do it at the end of the page: How to Get the Image of the Japanese Characters for Your Tattoo.
CONTENTS
Philosophy and Wisdom
1. 徳 (Toku) – Virtue
2. 道 (Dō) – The Way
3. 知恵 (Chie) – Wisdom / Knowledge
4. 忍耐力 (Nintairyoku) – Endurance / Patience
5. 一日一歩 (Ichinichi Ippo) – One step at a time
6. 自然体 (Shizen-tai) – Naturalness / Being oneself
7. 知恵は力なり (Chie wa chikara nari) – Wisdom is power
8. 賢者の道 (Kenja no michi) – Path of the sage / Way of the wise
9. 悩むより変える (Nayamu yori kaeru) – Change rather than worry
10. 心技体 (Shingitai) – Mind, technique, body (Prioritizing overall enhancement)
11. 知識は一生の財産 (Chishiki wa isshō no zaisan) – Knowledge is a lifelong treasure
12. 禅 (Zen) – Zen (Derive from the Sanskrit word “dhyāna”, meaning meditation or contemplation)
13. 千里の道も一歩から (Senri no Michi mo Ippo kara) – A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
14. 一期一会 (Ichigo ichie) – One life, one encounter (Emphasizes the uniqueness and importance of each moment)
15. 知識は力 (Chishiki wa chikara) – Knowledge is power (Highlights the importance of knowledge and education)
16. 良き知識は苦しみを超える (Yoki chishiki wa kurushimi o koeru) – Good knowledge transcends suffering (Emphasizes the transformative power of wisdom)
17. 幸せは内なる平和から生じる (Shiawase wa uchinaru heiwa kara shoujiru) – Happiness arises from inner peace (Stresses the connection between inner harmony and happiness)
18. 身も蓋もない (Mi mo futa mo nai) – Sincerity / Bluntness (It conveys the idea of being straightforward and honest without pretense or euphemism)
Strength and Inspiration
19. 力 (Chikara) – Power
20. 勇気 (Yūki) – Courage
21. 剛毅 (Gōki) – Fortitude
22. 強さ (Tsuyosa) – Strength
23. 挑戦 (Chōsen) – Challenge
24. 忍耐 (Nintai) – Perseverance
25. 克服 (Kokufuku) – Overcoming
26. 信じる (Shinjiru) – To believe / To trust
27. 諦めない (Akiramenai) – Never give up
28. 鼓舞 (Kobu) – Inspiration / Encouragement
29. 夢を追う (Yume o ou) – Chase your dreams
30. 心の平和 (Kokoro no heiwa) – Peace of mind
31. 強さの証 (Tsuyosa no Akashi) – Proof of strength
32. 逆境に負けず (Gyakkyō ni Makezu) – Unbowed by adversity
33. 自己啓発 (Jiko keihatsu) – Self-improvement / Self-enlightenment
34. 止められない (Tomerarenai) – Unstoppable / Unable to be stopped
35. 武士道 (Bushidō) – Way of the Warrior (The code of moral principles and virtues followed by samurai)
36. 心 (Kokoro) – Heart; spirit; mind (Can symbolize deep emotions, inner strength, or spiritual connection)
37. 禍転じて福となす (Ka tenjite fuku to nasu) – Turn calamity into blessing (Encourages finding opportunities in adversity)
38. 不屈の精神 (Fukutsu no seishin) – Indomitable spirit (Captures the essence of resilience and unwavering determination in the face of challenges)
39. 忍耐は苦を克服する (Nintai wa ku o kokufuku suru) – Patience conquers hardship (Highlights the importance of perseverance and endurance)
40. 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu) – Nothing ventured, nothing gained (Encourages taking risks and seizing opportunities)
Love and Relationships
41. 愛 (Ai) – Love
42. 家族 (Kazoku) – Family
43. 友情 (Yuujou) – Friendship
44. 家族愛 (Kazoku ai) – Family love
45. 愛してる (Ai shiteru) – I love you
46. 永遠の愛 (Eien no ai) – Eternal love
47. 愛の絆 (Ai no Kizuna) – Bond of love
48. 愛と信頼 (Ai to shinrai) – Love and trust
49. 愛と幸せ (Ai to shiawase) – Love and happiness
50. 愛と誠実さ (Ai to seijitsusa) – Love and sincerity
51. 家族は宝 (Kazoku wa takara) – Family is treasure
52. 心の奥底 (Kokoro no Okusoko) – Deep in the heart
53. 信頼と友情 (Shinrai to yuujou) – Trust and friendship
54. 信頼 (Shinrai) – Trust (An essential element of strong friendships)
55. 親友 (Shin’yuu) – Best friend (Refers to a close and trusted friend)
56. 家族は一生の宝 (Kazoku wa isshō no takara) – Family is a lifelong treasure
57. 家族は命の支え (Kazoku wa inochi no sasae) – Family is the support of life
58. 母の愛は無条件 (Haha no ai wa mujōken) – A mother’s love is unconditional
59. 愛の証 (Ai no akashi) – “Proof of love” (Signifies a testament or evidence of one’s love)
60. 一生の友 (Isshou no tomo) – Lifetime friend (Symbolizing a friendship that lasts forever)
61. 心の友 (Kokoro no tomo) – Friend of the heart (Indicating a deep and meaningful friendship)
62. 永遠の絆 (Eien no kizuna) – Eternal bond (Emphasizes a lasting and unbreakable connection)
63. 君と永遠に (Kimi to eien ni) – Forever with you (Signifies a commitment to be together forever)
64. 愛は盲目 (Ai wa mōmoku) – Love is blind (Suggests that love can overlook flaws and imperfections)
65. 共に歩む (Tomo ni ayumu) – Walking together (Implying companionship and support in life’s journey)
66. 絆が永遠に続く (Kizuna ga eien ni tsuzuku) – Bonds continue forever (Expressing enduring friendships)
Balance and Nature
67. 流れ (Nagare) – Flow
68. 平和 (Heiwa) – Peace
69. 自然 (Shizen) – Nature
70. 自由 (Jiyuu) – Freedom
71. 平衡 (Heikou) – Balance
72. 自然の力 (Shizen no chikara) – Power of nature
73. 平衡と調和 (Heikou to chouwa) – Balance and harmony
74. 自然に感謝する (Shizen ni kansha suru) – Grateful for nature
75. 風のように自由に (Kaze no you ni jiyuu ni) – Be as free as the wind
76. 人生は美しい旅 (Jinsei wa utsukushii tabi) – Life is a beautiful journey
77. 自然は心の癒し (Shizen wa kokoro no iyashi) – Nature is healing for the soul
78. 月の光を追い求めて (Tsuki no hikari o oimotomete) – Chasing the light of the moon
79. 花は咲く (Hana wa saku) – Flowers bloom (Symbolizes renewal, growth, and the beauty of life cycles)
80. 終わりなき冒険 (Owarinaki bouken) – Endless adventure (It signifies a journey or experience that continues indefinitely)
81. 花の命は短い、だからこそ美しい (Hana no inochi wa mijikai, dakara koso utsukushii) – The life of a flower is short, hence its beauty
82. 花鳥風月 (Kachou Fuugetsu) – Flower, bird, wind, moon (It appreciates the beauty of nature and the changing seasons, emphasizing a deep appreciation for the natural world)
83. 風林火山 (Fūrin Kazan) – Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain (Symbolizes the natural elements, is often associated with the strategy of being as swift as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as fierce as fire, and as immovable as a mountain
Keep in mind that tattoo trends evolve and individual tastes differ. It’s crucial to select a quote that has personal significance and will remain meaningful throughout your life. Additionally, ensure the accuracy of quotes and their attributions before committing to them permanently.
If you haven’t found one that resonates with you yet and are looking for more meaningful tattoo characters ideas, we highly recommend checking out our Chinese list with 75+ Meaningful Chinese Tattoo Characters.
How to Get the Image of the Japanese Characters for Your Tattoo
When you have decided on the characters you want for your tattoo, you can easily obtain the image through this Japanese Font Image Generator. Here are the steps to follow:
- Select and copy the character(s) to the clipboard:
- Windows | Mac: Select the character(s) from the list, right-click and select “Copy” or (Ctrl + C for Windows | Cmd (⌘) + C for Mac).
- Mobile | Tablet: Press and hold the text until the selection option appears, then select “Copy”.
- Scroll down to ‘Japanese fonts’ and paste the Japanese character(s) into the ‘Select a font’ text field.
- Windows | Mac: Right-click on the text field, select “Paste” or (Ctrl + V for Windows | Cmd (⌘) + V for Mac).
- Mobile | Tablet: Press and hold the place where you want to paste the text, then tap “Paste” or the paste icon.
- Select the font, size, effect and color you want for your tattoo and press the button ‘Generate’.
- Save the image:
- Windows | Mac: Right-click on the image, ‘Save image as‘.
- Mobile | Tablet: Press and hold on the image, ‘Save image‘.
